KR102643307B1 - Optimized tailgate posts - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle (1) comprising at least one lateral post (3), to which a rear window (7) is attached, a tailgate (2) wherein the posts (3) form a profile with an open cross-section and each comprise two walls. It includes a first U-shaped cavity 31 and a second U-shaped cavity 32. The first cavity 31 is oriented towards the central plane Y0 of the vehicle and includes a rear wall 310 and a front wall 311, and the second cavity 32 is oriented towards the rear of the vehicle and includes an inner wall. 320 and an outer wall 321. The front wall 311 of the first cavity 31 is arranged to be continuous with the outer wall 321 of the second cavity 32, and the rear wall 310 of the first cavity 31 is disposed continuously with the outer wall 321 of the second cavity 32. is separated from the inner wall 320 of the profile, thereby freeing up a free space 33 which allows access to the interior of the profile.

Description

OPTIMIZED TAILGATE POSTS}

The invention relates to the automotive field, in particular to vehicles comprising a rear tailgate made of plastic material.

The tailgate, which closes the rear opening of the vehicle, has an upper part connected by hinges to the roof segment of the vehicle, a lower part containing technical elements such as an aperture controller or lighting means for the license plate and an opening for receiving the rear window. do. The upper and lower parts are connected by two posts. The rear window is adhesively bonded on posts and around the entire perimeter to bonding tracks disposed at the top and bottom and top.

The tailgate can be formed by molding means, preferably from thermosetting or thermoplastic materials.

The profiles of posts must adhere to multiple specific and sometimes contradictory constraints.

In practice, in addition to the structural rigidity required to withstand the stresses associated with opening and closing operations without deformation, the width of the pillars determines the width of the rear opening providing access to rear visibility and storage areas. Additionally, the post must receive a bearing surface that will come into contact with a seal mounted on a fixture of the vehicle on the side of the car body and must receive a bonding track on its outer edge for receiving the rear window. The posts can also accommodate technical equipment such as wiring harnesses or actuators to facilitate the opening and closing operation of the tailgate. The presence of the above technical equipment is related to accessibility constraints to facilitate initial installation and maintenance of the equipment. Lastly, the posts will play a role in the vehicle's aerodynamics and, depending on the vehicle's visibility, will affect its overall appearance. For this purpose, silk-screen printed deposits, usually of muted color, the width of which adversely affects the aesthetics and rear visibility of the vehicle, are applied to the rear window to cover the technical parts of the posts that are visible from the outside through the window. It is deposited on the outer periphery of.

In addition to all these constraints, there are certain limitations to the molding methods used to industrially produce tailgates from thermoplastic or thermoset materials. Therefore, the post is usually open without undercuts and is easily separated from the mold.

In addition, multiple publications describing the cross-section of the post describe the approaches taken by vehicle designers to meet all or part of the requirements presented above.

FR 3 037 286 describes a tailgate post with an H-shaped cross-section that allows it to accommodate an actuator. The overall width of the post is substantially equal to the sum of the transverse dimensions of the bonding track, the bearing surface of the seal and the actuator. This measure reduces the width of the rear field of view.

FR 3 041 571 describes a U-shaped post comprising trim on the inner wall of the U curved from the central plane Y0 towards the lateral edges of the vehicle to close the opening in the profile and increase rear visibility.

EP 3 241 700 also describes a tailgate post with a U-shaped cross-section towards the rear of the vehicle. The base of the U forms the bearing surface of the seal and includes a protrusion towards the front of the vehicle to hide the seal from view inside the vehicle. The outer side wall of U extends towards the edge of the vehicle in a direction away from the central plane Y0 to form a bonding track on the rear window, and continues to assume an aerodynamic shape and extend towards the rear of the vehicle as a protrusion. do. This arrangement does not make it possible to increase rear visibility and does not provide for adjustment of technical equipment.

JP2001-328429 proposes an injection-molded thermoplastic tailgate comprising posts with a U-shaped cross-section that opens towards the rear of the vehicle and includes an inner compartment to increase the rigidity of the post.

The object of the present invention is to propose a tailgate that is preferably formed by molding from thermoplastic or thermoset material and is capable of meeting all the above-mentioned requirements.

The tailgate according to the invention comprises at least one lateral post to which the rear window is attached, the post forming a profile with an open cross-section and each comprising first and second U-shaped walls. Contains cavities.

The posts of the tailgate are such that when the tailgate is in the closed position, the first cavity faces the central plane (Y0) of the vehicle and U has a rear wall disposed toward the rear of the vehicle and a front wall disposed toward the front of the vehicle. wherein the second cavity is oriented toward the rear portion of the vehicle such that the U includes an inner wall disposed on a side of a central plane and an outer wall disposed opposite the central plane facing a side edge of the vehicle, wherein the first cavity The front wall of the cavity is arranged to be continuous with the outer wall of the second cavity, and the rear wall of the first cavity is separated from the inner wall of the second cavity and lies in the inner part of the profile formed by the two U-shaped inner spaces. It is characterized in that it provides free accessible space.

This specific shape of the cross-section of the post makes it possible to meet the requirements regarding mechanical rigidity and reduction of the transverse dimension of the post, which makes it possible to align the bonding track with the longitudinal direction of the sealed bearing surface. As a result, the width of the post is reduced and the width of the silk screen print affixed to the outline of the rear window is reduced. Moreover, the arrangement of two adjacent U-shaped volumes creates internal spaces where the actuator and cable harness can be placed in separate grooves, protecting the equipment from physical interactions that could cause malfunction.

A tailgate according to the invention may include the following features alone or in combination:

- The front face of the front wall of the first cavity forms a bearing surface intended to contact a seal arranged on the body of the vehicle.

- The rear window is adhesively bonded to the outer surface of the rear wall of the first cavity.

- The cable harness runs inside the internal space defined by the first cavity.

- An actuator hinged between the roof segment and the tailgate is disposed in the inner space of the second cavity to facilitate opening or closing the tailgate.

- The length of the inner wall of the second cavity is shorter than the length of the outer wall of the second cavity, increasing rearward visibility.

- The length of the inner wall of the second cavity is longer than the length of the outer wall of the second cavity, and the extension of the inner wall of the second cavity is curved from the central plane toward the lateral edge of the vehicle so that the longitudinal direction (XX') and 0 This creates an angle that increases rear visibility.

- The reinforcement part is placed on the inner or outer wall of the second cavity.

- The reinforcement part extends from the outer wall of the second cavity to the end of the rear wall of the first cavity.

- The rear wall of the first cavity forms a non-zero angle with the transverse direction (YY').

- A removable trim element is arranged between the end of the rear wall of the first cavity and the end of the inner wall of the second cavity to block the free passage of the profile forming the post.

- The profile of the post is formed integrally with the top and bottom of the tailgate, and the tailgate is made of thermoset or thermoplastic material by molding.

The present invention has the advantage of providing a tailgate formed by molding from thermoplastic or thermoset material.

The invention will be better understood upon consideration of the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of example and not by way of limitation, of which:
1 is a schematic diagram of the rear of a vehicle equipped with a tailgate including an actuator.
Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the tailgate in the open and closed positions.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along AA of the tail gate post according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tailgate post according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tailgate post according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tailgate post according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The rear part of the vehicle 1 shown in Figure 1 shows the rear tailgate 2 closing the rear opening.

In the following, the Cartesian coordinate system of the reference OXYZ will be considered, where the axis X'OX represents the longitudinal axis oriented from posterior to anterior, and the axis Y'OY represents the longitudinal axis oriented from left to right. It represents the transverse axis, and the axis Z'OZ represents the vertical axis oriented from bottom to top. The plane Y0 perpendicular to the axis Y'OY corresponds to the central plane of the vehicle. The tailgate (2) comprises an upper part (20) and a lower part (21) interconnected by two lateral posts (3).

The upper part 20 is connected by hinges 22 to a roof segment 101 forming part of the body 10 of the vehicle 1 . The rear window 7 is adhesively bonded to the posts 3 and the top and bottom of the tailgate at its outer periphery.

Actuators 5 to facilitate the operation of opening and closing the tailgate are arranged laterally on the side of each post 3 and are connected to the body 10 and the post of the tailgate 2 at their respective ends. It is connected to pivoting attachment points 51 and 52 respectively disposed on the fields 3. By way of example, the actuator 5 may be a gas-actuated jack type jack or a screw jack rotated by an electric motor.

Figure 2 shows the tailgate in the open and closed positions. Note that for stylistic reasons, in the closed position, the posts and the inner window form a specified angle with the vertical position. The cross-section of the posts along A-A is formed by the intersection of the posts with a plane perpendicular to the direction of the angle and corresponds to the cross-section of the post.

The positions "front" and "rear" relative to the vehicle apply to the tailgate when the tailgate is in the closed position, and the positions "front" and "rear" apply to the post relative to the vertical. It is considered that they are independent of the inclination angle.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the right lateral post 3, which is symmetrical to the left lateral post.

The first U-shaped cavity 31 opens towards the central plane Y0. The first cavity 31 includes a rear wall 310 and a front wall 311 each oriented substantially along the YY' axis.

The second U-shaped cavity 32 is open towards the rear of the vehicle and includes an inner wall 320 and an outer wall 321 each oriented substantially along the XX' axis.

The front wall 311 of the first cavity is connected to the outer wall 321 of the second cavity such that the two walls are connected at a convergence point 34 with a certain angle close to a right angle therebetween.

The rear wall 310 of the first cavity 31 and the inner wall 320 of the second cavity 32 are separated to leave a free space 33, which ensures accessibility during installation and assembly operations. To improve access to the interior of the post, maintenance and repair work can be carried out on the technical members contained in the post.

The rear face 3100 of the rear wall 310 of the first cavity 31 forms a bonding track to which the rear window 7 is adhesively bonded by adhesive tape 71 .

The front face 3110 of the front wall 311 of the first cavity 31 is seated with a seal 102 mounted on a rabbet 103 of the body 10. Forms a bearing surface that is

The front wall must provide a bearing surface wide enough to accommodate the crushed seal. A width of 25 to 50 mm, preferably 30 to 40 mm, appears to be suitable.

The rear wall must provide sufficient width for the bonding track. The width varies from 15 mm to 50 mm, preferably from 20 mm to 30 mm.

Accordingly, the sealed bearing surface 3110 and the bonding track 3100 are aligned rearward of each other in direction XX', which reduces the dimension of the two functional surfaces in direction YY' with the aim of increasing rearward visibility. It makes it possible to do so. Additionally, since the sealed bearing surface is disposed closer to the lateral end of the rear window, it is possible to increase the width of the rear opening.

The first cavity 31 accommodates a cable harness 4 for supplying equipment placed on the tailgate.

An actuator 5 is disposed in the second cavity 32 to facilitate the opening and closing operation of the tailgate. The dashed circle shows the position of the actuator when the tailgate is in the open position.

As can be seen in Figure 2, it is necessary to provide free space in direction XX' to allow the actuator 5 to move between the open and closed positions. Accordingly, the length of the inner 320 and outer 310 side walls of the second cavity 31 increases in the direction extending from the lower end of the tailgate 11 to the roof segment 12, so that the tailgate is centered around the hinge. Allows the actuator to travel within two cavities during the movement (1 ₁ > 1 ₂ ).

Since the first cavity 31 is separated from the second cavity 32, contact between the cable harness 4 and the actuator 5 can be prevented.

It can also be seen that the second cavity protrudes towards the front, thus hiding the seal 102 from view from inside the cabin.

The walls of each cavity are not necessarily the same length.

Accordingly, for the post 3 shown in Figure 3, the inner wall 320 of the second cavity 32 is shorter than the outer wall 321. This arrangement makes it possible to increase rear visibility by increasing the angle formed by the straight line RR' passing through the rearview mirror and through the rear end of the inner wall 320 of the second cavity 32.

Figure 4 shows a case where, according to the first embodiment, it is necessary to reinforce the rigidity of the post 3 for reasons of mechanical resistance. For this purpose, a reinforcement part 9 can be attached by adhesive bonding or welding to the outer or preferably inner part of the second cavity 32 .

5 shows, according to a second embodiment, the part of the reinforcement part 9 arranged on the outer wall 321 of the second cavity 32, again for reasons of mechanical resistance, connected to the rear wall of the first cavity 31 ( It shows a case where it is necessary to extend to the end of 310). Doing so partially compromises the accessibility of the internal part of the first cavity 31 containing the cable harness, but demarcation between the two cavities is improved and the risk of contact between the actuator and the cable harness is eliminated.

Optionally, in all of the above embodiments, it has a decorative function by means of a removable trim element 6 and is attached to the end of the rear wall 310 of the first cavity 31 and the inner wall of the second cavity 32 ( The free passage 33 disposed between the ends of 320) may be closed. The trim element 6 is a silk-screen printed deposit 70 formed on the outer periphery of the rear window 7 to increase rear visibility and to hide the part of the post 3 that is visible from the outside. It may be useful to tilt away from the central plane (Y0) to reduce the width of .

Figure 6 shows an extension portion 3201 in which the inner wall 320 of the second cavity extends toward the rear to reinforce the structure of the tailgate and forms an angle a with the longitudinal direction (XX') to increase rear visibility. ) shows a third embodiment including.

When the rear window 7 has a cavity oriented in the direction XX', the rear wall of the first cavity 31 forms a non-zero angle with the direction YY', as can be seen in Figure 6. By arranging 310, the bonding track can be slightly opened toward the rear.

The rear tailgate 2 as described above, in each embodiment, is preferably formed by molding from a thermoplastic or thermoset material. Under these conditions, the posts 3 are formed integrally with the upper 20 and lower 21 of the tail gate.

It can be seen that the posts contain undercuts in direction XX', which is the main extraction direction of the part. Also, laterally to shape the walls of the first cavity or, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, to shape the extension 3201 of the inner branch 320 of the second cavity 32. There is a need to provide a mold containing moving trays.

1: vehicle
10: Body/Chassis
101: loop segment
102: sealing part
103: Lavet supporting the sealing part
2: Tailgate
20: Top of the tailgate
21: Lower part of tailgate
22: hinge
3: post
31: first cavity
310: rear wall of first cavity
3100: Back surface of rear wall of first cavity
311: front wall of first cavity
3110: Front view of the anterior branch of the first cavity
32: second cavity
320: second cavity inner wall
3021: Extension of the second cavity inner wall
321: outer wall of second cavity
33: free space
34: convergence point
4: Cable harness
5: actuator
51: Attachment point of the actuator disposed on the body/chassis of the vehicle
52: Attachment point of the actuator disposed on the tailgate
6: Trim element
7: Rear window
70: Silk-screen printing deposit
71: adhesive tape
8: rearview mirror
9: Reinforcement part
XX': Longitudinal axis of the vehicle (rear/front)
YY': The vehicle's transverse axis (right/left).
ZZ': vertical axis of the vehicle
Y0: longitudinal center plane perpendicular to axis (YY')
l ₁ , l ₂ : Thickness of the post in the longitudinal direction
a: posterior angle

Claims (12)

A tailgate of the vehicle (1) rotatably mounted on a roof segment (101) forming part of the body (10) of the vehicle (1) by one or more hinges (22). (2), the tailgate (2) includes at least one lateral post (3) to which a rear window (7) is attached, wherein the post (3) has an open cross-section. forming a profile having a first U-shaped cavity (31) and a second U-shaped cavity (32), wherein each of the first and second U-shaped cavities is the first cavity (31) Facing the central plane Y0 of the vehicle, the U-shaped cavity includes a rear wall 310 disposed toward the rear of the vehicle and a front wall 311 disposed toward the front of the vehicle, 2 Cavity 32 is oriented towards the rear of the vehicle such that the U-shaped cavity is towards the lateral edge of the vehicle with the inner wall 320 disposed on the side of the central plane Y0. and an outer wall 321 disposed opposite the central plane Y0, wherein the front wall 311 of the first cavity 31 is connected to the outer wall 321 of the second cavity 32. Arranged to be continuous, the rear wall 310 of the first cavity 31 is separated from the inner wall 320 of the second cavity 32 to form the first and second U-shaped cavities 31, Tailgate of the vehicle (1), comprising two lateral walls characterized to free a free space (33) which allows access to the inner part of the profile formed by the inner space of the vehicle (1). 2). The method of claim 1, wherein the front face (3110) of the front wall (311) of the first cavity (31) is in contact with a seal (102) disposed on the body (10) of the vehicle (1). The tailgate (2) of the vehicle (1), forming a bearing surface. The vehicle (1) tailgate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rear window (7) is adhesively bonded to the outside face (3100) of the rear wall (310) of the first cavity (31). 2). Tailgate (2) of a vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a cable harness (4) runs inside the interior space defined by the first cavity (31). The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an actuator (5) hinged between the roof segment (101) and the tailgate (2) moves inside the second cavity (32) to facilitate opening and closing of the tailgate. Vehicle (1) and tailgate (2) arranged in space. The vehicle of claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the inner wall (320) of the second cavity (32) is shorter than the length of the outer wall (321) of the second cavity (32), thereby increasing rearward visibility. (1) Tailgate (2). The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the inner wall (320) of the second cavity (32) is greater than the length of the outer wall (321) of the second cavity (32), and the second cavity (32) An extension 3201 of the inner wall 320 is curved from the central plane Y0 toward the lateral edge of the vehicle to form a non-zero angle a with the longitudinal direction XX'. Forming the tailgate (2) of the vehicle (1) to increase rear visibility. Tailgate (2) of a vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a reinforcement part (9) is arranged on the inner or outer wall of the second cavity (32). 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the reinforcement part (9) extends from the outer wall (321) of the second cavity (32) to the end of the rear wall (310) of the first cavity (31). Vehicle (1) Tailgate (2). Vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rear wall (310) of the first cavity (31) forms a non-zero angle with the transverse direction (YY') perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (XX'). Tailgate (2). 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the end of the rear wall (310) of the first cavity (31) and the 2 Tailgate (2) of a vehicle (1), wherein a removable trim element (6) is disposed between the ends of the inner wall (320) of the cavity (32). The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the profiles of the posts (3) are formed integrally with the upper portion (20) and the lower portion (21) of the tailgate (2), and The tailgate (2) of the vehicle (1) is manufactured by molding from a thermoset or thermoplastic material.